We demand

to be told

We know that Clive Uren, the Eastbourne health boss who quit this week following a scathing report, is to receive a golden handshake from the National Health Service.

But we do not know how much he is getting, despite the much-trumpeted new and more open approach by the hospital trust in Eastbourne.

A scathing report earlier this week attacked management at the EDGH after controversy over how two patients died.

The report stated staff and the public were too often left in the dark.

But why should we be in the dark about Mr Uren's pay-off? His salary

is a matter of public record and

his severance pay should also be revealed.

Acting chief executive Alan Randall says his predecessor is entitled to

privacy.

But Mr Uren was a public servant whose wages came from our pockets and we are entitled to know the

figure.

What's more, we don't intend to rest until we get the answer.

There has been far too much secrecy in this whole sorry business.

Indian entente

Hove was once famous for being the home of intolerant colonels who had served in the Army in India.

Now you're more likely to find

people from the Indian sub-continent running thriving businesses in the

area.

They've been brought together in Poets Corner by a residents' society run by Gloria Abida, who has formed a multi-cultural group.

And tomorrow millions of people will see its work on an ITV programme.

Good for Gloria - and great for Hove.

Time-juggler

Pupils at Falmer School in Brighton will be playing with fire if they

upset maths teacher Richard Thompson.

For in his spare time he's a fire eater and can also perform many other

circus tricks, including juggling and stilt-walking.

As he's also setting up a circus school, Richard will have to learn a new trick - juggling with time.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.